Episode 392: Church and State, Part Six--Future Hope

At the end of the last book of the Christian Bible, there is a vision of a wholly renewed creation, a "new heavens and a new earth," in which mnay peoples (plural) from every language, tribe, and nation are gathered into God's presence, and when heaven comes to earth, for God's dwelling to be among us completely. In light of that promised future, Christians are freed to be open-eyed, honest and realistic about the limits, failings, and flaws of every human government and every nation on earth.  Because we haven't tethered our faith in Jesus to a political party or a national government, we can be honest when governments mess up, and we don't have to give up hope into despair in the elections when our candidates lose.  We are also equipped to live in the tension of doing what is in our power to make positive change in our own lives, neighborhoods, and communities, while not being overwhelmed by the burden of assuming the fate of the universe rests on any one person's efforts. We can't achieve the kingdom of God by lobbying, and we don't have to believe the false notion that any candidate or party has God's endorsement--they don't.  All these topics, and more, as pastors Sarah, Erica, and Steve take a final look at the separate of church and state here on Crazy Faith Talk!